This image released by the European Space Agency shows the sky mapped by the satellite Planck, the first European mission designed to study the relic radiation from the Big Bang. (Getty Images)

(Newser)
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Scientists who believe our universe is just one of many have found a way to put their theory to the test. The "multiverse" theory holds that our universe is in a bubble of space and time drifting in a sea of other "bubble universes." Cosmologists say that the cosmic background radiation left over from the Big Bang shows tantalizing signs of collisions with other bubbles, the BBC reports. The European Space Agency's Planck space telescope is expected to provide data that will either back up the theory or refute it.

"The work represents an opportunity to test a theory that is truly mind-blowing: that we exist within a vast multiverse, where other universes are constantly popping into existence,” the lead researcher says. But even if the existence of bubble universes—where the laws of nature may be utterly different—is confirmed, it will be impossible to learn more about them, he warns. "It would be wonderful to be able to go outside our bubble, but it's not going to be possible," she says.

Why drag a body along when you are exploring the cosmos? It needs all sorts of inconvenient stuff, like oxygen. Our minds are the logical vehicle for this kind of travel, and if anything is going to break the speed of light, its going to have to be outside the normal physical realm.

lvan

Aug 4, 2011 5:03 PM CDT

don't mean to be pessimistic but it's like a flea on a cat wondering about global politics.

FreeThemAll

Aug 4, 2011 4:19 PM CDT

It's just semantics i know, but If the definition of "universe" is "the totality of all that exists" (which, I think, was its original definition), then it stands to reason that there cannot be more than one universe.